Who's Your Favorite Bartender?!

Head Bartender Mike Ryan of Kimpton's Sable Kitchen & Bar. (Photo: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants)

Not certain where you'll be drinking this weekend?!

I conducted an informal Twitter poll, asking folks who they prefer to visit behind the bar when they're in the mood for a Manhattan or shot of Maker's.

Here's what I got:

On Being 'The Hottest Game In Town'

Kevin Boehm of the Boka Restaurant Group. (Photo: taken from Boehm's Facebook page)

In 2011 alone, Kevin Boehm (one half of the fabulous Boka Restaurant Group boys with Rob Katz) has gotten accolade upon accolade for his various culinary projects.

From Stephanie Izard's Beard nom for Girl & The Goat to snagging the Rising Star Restaurateur Award from StarChefs, the praises just keep on coming.

And with Perennial Virant set to open in May and Little Goat arriving in the autumn, we don't see this train stopping any time soon.

But Boehm says, despite the success, he won't let it go to his head:

Chef Wants Recognition Beyond 'Burbs

Inovasi chef/owner John des Rosiers (Photo: Inovasi)

It doesn't matter that he's a culinary star in the suburbs, Inovasi chef/owner John des Rosiers wants also props from Chicago and national food media.

His Lake Bluff resto, which celebrates two years in June, packs in a well-heeled, food-loving crowd several nights a week, but he's hungry for recognition from city folk.

His blog, The Thought, is usually pretty controversial, taking on such issues as molecular gastronomy and the antics of fellow colleagues such as Graham Elliot.

But this time, des Rosiers chose to take a more subtle approach as he basically wrote an open letter to media:

Obama Will Dine At MK Thursday

Just got the official word that Prez Obama will be dining at MK Thursday when he's in town.

To prepare for his feast, chef/owner Michael Kornick and exec chef Erick Williams have created a menu that's certain to be memorable:

Michael Carlson Broke His Leg

Photo via the Chicago Tribune

I got a tip Monday that Schwa was shuttered over the weekend.

When we asked the publicist, no real response was given for why it was closed, but late Tuesday night it was discovered that eccentric executive chef/owner Michael Carlson had broken his leg.

We wish him a speedy recovery!

UPDATE: The guys over at AV Club Chicago tell 312DD: "Got a call from Schwa confirming reservations for tomorrow, so they seem to be open while Carlson recovers."

Awesome news!

'Top Chef' Star on Girl & The Goat

(Photo: Courtesy of Antonio Busiello)

Former Top Chef and Top Chef All Star fan favorite Fabio Viviani was in Chicago Tuesday and had dinner at Girl & The Goat.

His "review" on his experience at the West Loop's hottest resto is the most unique to date:

Does Doughnut Vault Live Up To Its Hype?!

Doughnut Vault's chocolate glazed doughnuts. (Photo: Doughnut Vault)

Tuesday I brought a bunch of the specialty, gourmet goodies from brand-new Doughnut Vault to the set of WCIU-TV's You & Me This Morning.

Apparently, these are no ordinary doughnuts as customers have been waiting in line by the hundreds to get their hands on them since the spot first opened last week.

Watch what happens right here when hosts Jeanne Sparrow and Melissa Forman get their first taste of what everyone's clamoring over.

Find out also other hot spots for gourmet doughnuts, including Longman & Eagle and Nightwood.

'Top Chef Master' Star Heads To Chicago

Jonathan Waxman was the most colorful character on last season's Top Chef Masters, and now he's bringing his charm to the 312.

The head chef/owner of NYC's super successful Barbuto will be in town Thursday to promote his new cookbook, Italian, My Way (Simon & Schuster, $32).

What's cool is that the event happens at Terzo Piano, owned by Tony Mantuano, Waxman's former competitor on Top Chef Masters.